October 1, 2004

Thai Shrimp Farmers Seek Fairer EU Tariff

Thai shrimp farmers, who have long complained that European Union (EU) GSP regulations unfairly discriminate against Thai shrimp imports, have seized on Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI)'s proposed purchase as a window of opportunity to boost their bargaining power with the EU.

THAI could threaten to pull out of a proposed deal to purchase Airbus planes from the EU unless the EU offers a fairer deal for Thai shrimp farmers.

Thai shrimps face higher EU import tariffs than shrimps from anywhere else in the world, a situation which shrimp farmers claim is losing the nation Bt10 billion a year.

Yesterday a group of shrimp farmers, led by Mr. Ekaphot Yotphinit, the Secretary-General of the Thai Shrimp Association, submitted a petition to the THAI board's Chairman, Thanong Bidaya, calling for the airline to help them out in their plight.

The same letter was submitted to Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.

Mr. Thanong expressed willingness to help the farmers, describing the EU tariffs as 'highly discriminatory'. 

But while promising to bring up the issue during talks with Airbus next week, he said that the Ministry of Commerce would also have to have its say in the discussions.